Artist drawn to rural location for new gallery

A little slice of Cuba St in Central Hawke's Bay is how Grey Goose Gallery owner Erin Collier describes his new exhibition space in Waipawa.

Situated beside Misty River Cafe, the gallery was officially opened last week and features black and white photographs taken by Erin during the past 10 years.

He and wife, Andrea, moved from Wellington to a lifestyle block in Waipukurau about a year ago.

"As much as we love the city we were looking for a change of lifestyle and to spread our wings a bit," Mr Collier said.

Owning a gallery had always been at the back of his mind.

"At first we were thinking of Napier but then we found this space and decided to keep it local."

The pair have transformed the premises with clean, crisp white walls, and a decidedly retro feel, including an old record player and upside down'70s lamps placed on the ceiling.

"I was brought up in the'70s so it seemed fitting."

The surroundings provide a perfect backdrop to his dramatic photographs which included anything from stark city scenes to atmospheric nature shots - some of which stem from his fascination with people's impact on nature.

The locations range from Ireland to Hawke's Bay.

Although only his work is featured at the moment, as time goes by he will look at showing other artists, he said.